All good advice. Get a JM stamped barrel. The Marlins are great rifles but the Win. 94s handle better than any rifle I own including my Marlin levers.
Regarding the cross bolt safety on the newer models - most if not all of the Marlin aficionados despise the safety. Me, I'm an old fart like most of those guys but I like the safety. You have to cycle each round to unload the rifle. I much prefer doing that with a safety engaged. Also, with your young sons using the rifle, the safety is a plus.
Do not get a "Remlin".
And....if it were me, I'd get one chambered in 35Rem. (that ought to stir things up. LOL)
Last edited by TexasShooter; 07/17/14.
